I first heard it in "The Man Who Fell to Earth" in about 1976. David Bowie is an extraterrestrial passing for a Brit in the U.S.; he is confused and embarrassed when his companion talks him into coming along to a church service, where the congregation sings that song to honor their guest.
Then I forgot the words and didn't recognize the phrase "Chariots of Fire" when that movie came out.
There are some lovely Brit hymns. I'm also very fond of "I Vow to Thee, My Country," set to the Holst tune from "The Planets."
7 comments:
No link? Not getting this.
Blake's poem? It would make a good hymn, though I've never heard it sung.
And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon Englands mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On Englands pleasant pastures seen!
And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among these dark Satanic Mills?
Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire!
I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In Englands green & pleasant Land.
Very common and popular hymn. One example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKaJ4b0XYmI
For some strange reason it was one of my daughters favorite bedtime songs when she was little.
Interesting. Do you attend an Anglican/Episcopalian church, Hjalti? I wonders if that's a part of the explicitly English heritage.
How odd: the link disappeared. I've replaced it.
No, I think I first heard it in the movie 'Chariots of Fire'. It has just always stuck with me.
I first heard it in "The Man Who Fell to Earth" in about 1976. David Bowie is an extraterrestrial passing for a Brit in the U.S.; he is confused and embarrassed when his companion talks him into coming along to a church service, where the congregation sings that song to honor their guest.
Then I forgot the words and didn't recognize the phrase "Chariots of Fire" when that movie came out.
There are some lovely Brit hymns. I'm also very fond of "I Vow to Thee, My Country," set to the Holst tune from "The Planets."
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